Concrete Wave

The architectural concept developed by Jean-Philippe Pargade Architects for the Pôle Scientifique et Technique Paris-Est creates a vast public area with a long, undulating concrete structure covered with a landscaped garden, that contrasts with the flatness of the site.

Jean-Philippe Pargade Architectes, Paris-Est Scientific and Technical Pole, Marne-la-Vallée, Paris

On a site covering nearly seven hectares in the Cité Descartes cluster in Marne-la-Vallée lies the Pôle Scientifique et Technique Paris-Est (PST) which has been baptised the Espace Bienvenue in memory of Fulgance Bienvenue, inspector general of the Ponts et Chaussées engineering school and father of the Parisian metro system.

The architectural concept is based on the ambition of creating an exceptional urban event: the Cité Descartes campus. It showcases a vast public area in the centre of a block unique to the new town, which reinforces urban structures and interlinks existing facilities.

Jean-Philippe Pargade Architectes, Paris-Est Scientific and Technical Pole, Marne-la-Vallée, Paris. Photo © ergio Grazia — Jean-Philippe Pargade Architectes, Paris-Est Scientific and Technical Pole, Marne-la-Vallée, Paris. Photo © Sergio Grazia

In an extension of the green setting of the university campus, the creation of a long, undulating concrete structure covered with a landscaped garden contrasts with the flatness of the site. This 200-metre long green slab makes up the large central park, which is magnified at the level of the campus and the city. The architecture is in perfect harmony with the environment, which offers a panoramic view from the green roof terrace. The contrast between the density of the buildings that abut the block to the north and the fresh air of this vast garden enhances the urban landscape. The wooden huts by the Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata dotted here and there reinforce this feeling.

The new Bienvenue building is flexible, multi-functional and scalable. Its architecture fosters exchanges between the disciplines and the organisation of teamwork. This is achieved with the large multi-purpose area on the ground floor, under the arch. It brings together all the shared functions: library, auditorium, restaurant, sports rooms and a technical area made up of a monumental test hall, laboratories and meeting rooms. The layout of the main reception lobby in the axis that crosses the lobby of the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées reinforces the complementarity between teaching and research.

The office area located in a unit along the Boulevard Newton reconciles the independence and autonomy of each speciality. The shared functions are in glassed areas that are bathed in natural light. They give a feeling of great transparency and perspective and overlook the large park, while the office division is made airy with the patios that contribute the warm atmosphere of the place and the well-being of users.

Jean-Philippe Pargade Architectes, Paris-Est Scientific and Technical Pole, Marne-la-Vallée, Paris. Photo © Sergio Grazia

The architectural approach integrates all the innovations that promote sustainable development. It highlights the relationship between the environment, energy management, servicing and maintenance, hygrothermic and visual comfort.

Special emphasis has been placed on the low-energy target, and the building now has the BBC label. This objective will be achieved through an overall bioclimatic design: orientation and insulation of the building (south facade largely open towards the campus and retrieving solar energy, north facade more closed and thus offering an insulating wall with a strong thermal inertia), natural ventilation, rainwater collection, insulating materials.

The main source of energy for heating and cooling the building is geothermal energy obtained from the groundwater body. The project thus draws its inspiration from a perfect match between a content - laboratories conducting the most innovative research in terms of sustainable development - and its container - the architecture that surrounds and organises it, which is highly environmentally, energy and ecologically efficient.